Chapter 162: Chapter 161: Competing
Zhang Xin leaned over the car window and asked Shi Yang, "What brings you here?"
Shi Yang smiled and said, "Meimei is visiting a classmate. I’m here to pick her up."
Zhang Xin softly acknowledged, waved at Zhao Meimei, and said, "I also live around here. When you have time, come and visit with your brother?"
Zhao Meimei was unsure about the relationship between Qu Chaozong and Zhang Xin and didn’t dare to readily agree. She turned to Shi Yang with questioning eyes.
Shi Yang gave Zhang Xin a slight smile, "Sure."
After speaking, Shi Yang looked at the people in the car, "President Zhang, it’s been a while."
President Zhang leaned slightly forward from the car, their gazes intersecting. Despite an overwhelming sense of surprise, they maintained a facade of composure.
President Zhang smiled faintly, "So, you are friends?"
Shi Yang said nothing, looking at Zhang Xin.
Zhang Xin’s expression remained calm, clearly already aware of Shi Yang’s acquaintance with President Zhang.
Shi Yang silently speculated whether it was because President Zhang had mentioned him at home, or if Zhang Xin had investigated privately. He decisively leaned towards the latter.
President Zhang didn’t seem like the type to discuss work matters at home, his character too cautious and shrewd. But Zhang Xin probing into this matter was evidently purposeful.
Zhang Xin looked directly at Shi Yang, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips, her eyes crinkling with amusement, "Yes, we are friends and very good friends."
Shi Yang gave Zhang Xin a penetrating look, refraining from further reminiscence. He waved courteously, "We should head home too. Next time, I’ll visit."
Zhang Xin glanced at him with a half-smile, agreed, waved goodbye to Zhao Meimei, and retreated into the car as the window rolled up and the car restarted.
As the window closed, President Zhang abruptly asked, "When did you meet?"
Zhang Xin remained silent.
President Zhang’s expression was complex and hard to decipher, "He’s quite capable, but a bit too cunning. You should..."
Zhang Xin interrupted him with a hint of sarcasm in her beautiful eyes, "You should spend more time managing your precious elder son, and spare me your concerns."
Zhang Xin turned away, her gaze fixed outside the car window, signaling her refusal to communicate.
President Zhang’s face fell, he suppressed his emotions several times, finally letting out a helpless sigh.
After Zhang Xin’s car departed, Shi Yang remained still, his mind still pondering the matter.
Zhao Meimei tugged at his arm, "Brother, let’s go!"
Shi Yang, still lost in thought, nodded instinctively.
Zhao Meimei called Xu Xu to get in the car, then opened the front passenger door, only for Xu Xu to shut it again.
Without a word, Xu Xu opened the rear car door, indicating for her to get in, "You didn’t finish talking about that movie."
At the mention of the movie discussion, Zhao Meimei perked up instantly, enthusiastically joining Xu Xu in the back seat.
Zhao Meimei leaned over the car door, shouting, "Brother!"
Shi Yang snapped back to reality, looking at Zhao Meimei sitting by the rear car door and then at Xu Xu beside her.
Zhao Meimei beckoned, "Brother, get in the car!"
Seeing Shi Yang looking over, Zhao Meimei returned to her seat and casually closed the car door.
Shi Yang got in the car, glimpsing Zhao Meimei and Xu Xu chatting warmly together through the rearview mirror, he suddenly honked twice.
Zhao Meimei and Xu Xu were shocked.
Shi Yang lowered the car window and said nonchalantly, "Wang Jiayue said goodbye to you!"
Shi Yang pressed his hands against the steering wheel, turning his head, casting a sharp glance at Xu Xu.
After Zhao Meimei and Xu Xu bid farewell to Wang Jiayue, they withdrew back into the car.
The two chatted cheerfully all the way about the films they watched that afternoon and interesting TV programs they’ve seen before.
As they continued talking, Xu Xu suddenly laughed lightly and put an arm around Zhao Meimei’s shoulder.
Unprepared for Xu Xu’s embrace, Zhao Meimei immediately felt uncomfortable and considered brushing off his hand, but he pointed at himself, then at her, wearing a serious expression, "Tomorrow at school, why don’t we look at our books together?"
Zhao Meimei was momentarily confused, asking, "What books?"
Xu Xu replied earnestly, "Our combined masterpiece, ’How Steel Was Corroded’!"
Zhao Meimei burst into laughter, "Haha! You’re too clever!"
Through the rearview mirror, Shi Yang observed their friendly closeness, unable to endure it any longer, he abruptly braked hard without warning, steadied himself by holding onto the wheel, listening to the thuds from behind.
Zhao Meimei: "Ouch!"
Xu Xu: "Ah!"
The emergency brake force was extremely fierce; Zhao Meimei was grinning, narrowly missing her teeth crashing into the front seat, while Xu Xu, seated sideways, bumped his arm against the car seat, recoiling against his nerve, wincing in pain.
Shi Yang coldly remarked, "A stray cat just dashed across the front. Nearly ran over it."
With that, Shi Yang arrogantly straightened his spine, accelerated, and resumed driving.
Zhao Meimei looked out the car window repeatedly, "Hey! Why is the stray cat on the road?"
Through the rearview mirror, Shi Yang glanced at the clueless Zhao Meimei, speaking with layers of meaning, "Probably hoping to find something to eat."
Xu Xu remained silent all along, merely frowning as he stared at Shi Yang’s profile. After some time, he turned to the side, looking at Zhao Meimei beside him, his expression shifted dramatically, bewildered and at a loss as if he uncovered a secret.
The residential complex where Xu Xu lived was completed. The front part consisted of commercial buildings surrounded by lush trees offering a good environment, while the rear part comprised resettlement buildings with reduced benefits, split by a walkway marking a stark contrast in status within the same neighborhood.
Shi Yang drove to the entrance for the resettlement buildings.
Xu Xu politely thanked him, "Thanks, Brother Yangyang."
Shi Yang turned to Xu Xu, smiling slightly, "It’s nothing. Meimei often mentions how much you’ve cared for her at school. We’re all family; no need for formalities."
Xu Xu pondered the phrase ’my Meimei’ in Shi Yang’s words, a sudden jolt in his heart, he looked at Shi Yang with a probing gaze.
Shi Yang didn’t evade, meeting his gaze directly.
Examining Shi Yang, handsome and young with a good family background, Xu Xu first admitted defeat, shifted his gaze, pursed his lips, bid farewell to Zhao Meimei, and turned to walk into the neighborhood. His long, upright back gradually inclined forward under invisible weight, each step slow and heavy as if collapsed by immense pressure.